THE future of a service that supports members of ethnic minority groups across the county is looking more assured.

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum (SMEF) has been granted company status, an important landmark on its journey to become a registered charity.

The organisation hopes to become a charity this year and start holding fundraising events to secure its own future after its current funding agreement ends in July 2014.

SMEF has already proven its worth since it was set up in 2009 by Surrey County Council and Surrey Community Action, with a grant of almost £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

It currently advises and advocates for rights on behalf of 36 small community groups representing families with BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds, and is keen to hear from others. These families can trace their heritage to Africa, Asia, the Indian sub-continent and continental Europe.

SMEF has trained more than 440 workers, to date, from 74 businesses, healthcare pro-viders and public bodies to better understand and cater for the cultures among ethnic minority groups.

It was established in response to research by the county council and Surrey Community Action, which highlighted a significant drop in the take-up of mainstream services among BAME communities. This was an alarming conclusion as the most recent figures show these communities make up more than 10% of Surrey’s population.

Suzanne Akram, of SMEF, said: “The ethnic minority population across Surrey has really grown in recent years but there’s never been a collective forum for these people.

“We work with the public and private sectors and health organisations to find out what the needs of these communities are and how they can be met.

“We don’t want BAME communities to be seen in a negative light but as people who are contributing, adapting and integrating into British society while still celebrating their own cultures.

“It’s important to highlight the positive aspects of their differences and the fact that, however their families made the journey to Britain, it is their home and they want to help make it better.”

The forum gives its member groups advice on how to improve their organisation and fundraising. It also explains relevant changes in the law so they can pass the message on to BAME families. At the same time, it puts public bodies carrying out consultation on subjects such as housing in touch with ethnic minority groups to seek their views.

It also helps health services deliver important warnings about, for instance, the high rate of coronary heart disease and low take-up of breast and cervical screening among some BAME communities.

SMEF arranges special events, most recently for Black History Month in October, when it held a presentation at Brooklands College involving speakers from nine ethnic minority backgrounds.

It also held a street art project in Guildford to coincide with the London 2012 Olym-pics, in which young people from BAME families created a piece of art promoting cultural integration.

The forum has found one of the biggest obstacles to BAME families accessing mainstream services is the language barrier, meaning that many in minority communities are not aware of what is on offer.

SMEF also tackles stigma within BAME communities over using certain services, such as those for the elderly, who were traditionally cared for by their families – although this is changing.

With its members, SMEF appoints ambassadors in communities to dispel myths and address fears that prevent people from accessing services.

Mrs Akram added: “We have a good relationship with our member groups. Many of them would not be getting anywhere fast without our help.

“They would keep doing what they do without any support but we help them to be officially recognised so they can get the most out of the work they do.”

For more information about the forum, call 01483 566072 or email smef@surreyca.org.uk.